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Skiing Lake Tahoe for the first time!

Hi All. I am hoping someone out there can help me. My husband and I are going to Lake Tahoe for a week in three weeks time to ski.

As we live in the UK we normally ski in France or Italy and I would say we are intermediate skiers. We are looking for a cheap, cheerful place to stay, reasonably near to skiing areas, but there is so much choice we are floundering a bit!

You can stay anywhere -- if you want to ski Heavenly, stay on the south shore. If you want to ski Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, etc -stay on the north or northwest shore -anywhere from south of Tahoe City to Incline Village.

bear in mind this has been a horrible snow season thus far. Not too much snow -- barely any at all. It has been almost historically dry. However the storm track has shifted a bit and a few storms are due in so things will likely improve by the time you get here.

Most of the resorts do manufacture snow so there will be some skiing, but unless we get more precipitation - don't expect marvelous conditions.

A side effect of the poor season, a lot of hotels/condos are offering deep discounts. What is your budget -- and where are you fling in/out of?

Janisj - we had people over for dinner on Sat who had just returned and I was shocked to hear exactly what you shared, that there is no snow - just manufactured...which for a skiier is such a bummer.

I learned to ski really at Heavenly - and have great memories of the amazing views from the top of runs, overlooking the lake -

I am reminded of the year we finally decided to go to Utah to ski, and arrived only to find it it had been one of the worst winters ever and that it was all manufactured snow - we were SO bummed.

Regarding were to stay - we always stayed at the ridge sierra condo/timeshare - and they had a shuttle to the lift areas. It has been too many years for me to comment on them and when we would go - I felt at the time they were pretty dated, but clean and it worked for what it was/what we needed.

It is a beautiful lake/area - I hope you have a wonderful time and that some great storms hit before your arrival!

Yes - Squaw Valley is King - and we also like nearby Alpine Meadows - but Heavently is Queen - and we have found some great "off piste" areas at Heavenly. A friend of mine skied Heavenly last weekend and said there was new snow on the Olympic Downhill (a good intermediate cruising course to get your legs back in shape) and some of the other upper runs were fine.

There is more to do at South Shore/Heavenly (Casinos on the Nevada side) - so IMO - it's pretty much even for first time visitors as to head to North or South shore.

We used to also call Kirkwood - the hot springs bonus - as not only is Kirkwood (about 45 minutes from Heavenly) a good mountain to explore - the nearby Grover Hot Springs are super. You enjoy the hot springs and then can plunge in the pool which is about 50 degrees cooler.

Northstar is very good for intermediate skiers. It probably has more intermediate terrain than Squaw. Staying at the resorts will tend to be expensive. If the OP has a car, staying in Truckee (20 minutes from Squaw, 25 from Alpine Meadows, 20 from Northstar) may be the cheapest option. For the north shore Reno might be even cheaper, but it is not as convenient.

One can use Google map or equivalents to find out distances and time to get to the slopes.

Two more thing: there is public transportation available from Truckee to Squaw and Alpine Meadows. Scheduling should be available from the TART (Tahoe Area Regional Transit?) website. Sugar Bowl used to have a shuttle from Truckee, but I do not know if it is still in operation.

I've been to South Lake Tahoe the last 3-4 years but this year just couldn't take it as they have no snow. I think they just got five inches (finally) in the last few days, but the base is still totally pathetic (about 24 inches) and a lot of it isn't open (I get daily snow reports and only 30 pct of the terrain is open for some reason). It's like that all over that area, no one has snow.

I'd stay in Stateline as at least there are a few things to do if you can't ski. And rooms are dirt cheap due to the casinos. You can easily get a room for around $100-125 a night in Harrahs or Harveys. Heavenly is good for intermediate skiers and you can take the bus free to Sierra Resort from there (only 30 min away). that is really nice for a change, they have good green runs but enough blue. And you can get a bus to Kirkwood from there for the day, also (I think it is free, also, but not very expensive in any case). I have always stayed at Harveys, it's only two short blocks to the gondola and one block to the transit center.

Someone above said some resorts are expensive, if so, that is a better reason to stay in Stateline where it is cheap. I know I just checked rates a few weeks ago and rooms were around $100. I couldn't take the lousy snow and finally booked in Aspen instead for March.

And for me - Lake Tahoe is so beautiful I would recommend someone enjoy it even if conditions are not super.

As for accommodations, you can stay cheaper along the Stateline - but I prefer to be more in the ski atmosphere if possible - and on the Nevada side of Heavenly there are a number of condos and other lodging, or at Squaw - also trying to find something in the Squaw Valley - or maybe by Incline, Northstar, etc.

Actually - looking again at the Ski Report - it says Squaw has most of the mountain open (over 40" of packed powder)- and don't know about up there - but we are getting a little weather down here in San Diego today.

And fyi - from Squaw Valley down to Heavenly (North Shore to South Shore) is about an hour. Also - Sugar Bowl (North Shore) usually gets the most snow and there are some accommodations over that way too.

Wow - thank you all so much for your advice. I hope everyone is as friendly as you lot when we get there!!!

We are flying into San Francisco and have a hire car booked. We will have six nights in Tahoe. Someone else has pointed us in the direction of Ferrari's Crown Resort in the north. It seems ok on paper, anyone have any experience of the place and is there decent skiing nearby?

Trust us to wait for years to take the plunge and ski USA for it to be the worst snow for years!!!! It has always been a dream of mine to ski Heavenly, but hotels there seems so expensive.

In the UK we have B&B's, that are often family homes, just renting out a few rooms, which is a lovely atmosphere. Is there anything like that around? We were looking for $100 or less per night if that's attainable?

Another question for you all - what will the weather in San Francisco be like in mid March? We will be spending a couple of nights there on the way home, so again any advice on where to go/stay would be appreciated. We are flying in/out of SFO which seems a bit out on a limb from the City - is that right?

Compare the fares flying in/out of Sacramento or Reno.
It would be an easier drive and the rental car may be cheaper than SFO.
It is also possible to get to downtown San Francisco using Amtrak train with an Amtrak bus from Emeryville.
The CA Zephyr has a stop in Truckee.

Squaw Valley is offering a two pack lift ticket deal. You have to purchase these by Feb 17th. The two pack entitles the purchaser to two lift tickets for the price of one. They are also good at Alpine Meadows. It does not seem as though you and your husband could use both of them on one day at one of the two resorts.

Tom: They are flying from the UK -- SMF or Reno aren't easy options. They will have been flying for 11 hours or more just to get to SFO. Any itinerary into Sacramento or Reno would add at least 5 hours to their travel time. And BART/Amtrak about the same.

Franypans: Not to worry -- it is actually snowing up on the summit as I type this. Just for you

As I mentioned, there has been a shift in the storm track and a series of small but significant storms is predicted.

One thing, I do hope you are staying one night in San Francisco or at SFO before jumping in the car for the drive to Tahoe. What time do you land and what day of the week? It is a long haul and Bay Area, Fairfield and Sacramento traffic - parts can be like the M25 on a bad day . . .

As for getting to SFO from downtown San Francisco - easy peasy. BART (underground rapid transit) serves the airport and even taxis are not that expensive.

If you arrive after the morning rush hour (say post 9 AM) - or before the afternoon one (3 PM or so - as getting your car would take half an hour) - you can get out of the Bay area and on the way to Tahoe fairly easily - making it in say three and a half to four hours - so I would go for it - unless you really beat from your flight.

Mid March weather in SF could be nice - but a rainstorm could also blow through.

Tomsd: But if they DO get out of SF by 3PM -- they will land in the middle of the Sacramento commute. US immigration can take quite a while and most UK flights land in the early to late afternoon so there really isn't a way to miss a traffic mess somewhere.

I usually book a hotel at SFO for one night after flying in from London . . . I personally don't want to face I-80/hwy50 after that flight. I get a good night's sleep and head out around 9:30 or 10:00 the next morning all refreshed. But that is just me.

They are staying in the City at the end. But having flown from the UK to SFO countless times -- that is a long/tiring flight followed by a long drive. That's why I'm suggesting maybe staying the night and starting fresh the next morning.

janisj - horses for courses. I can grab a few winks on the flight and then like to make progress after I land.

Hey - you never know if there might be something the next day that might cause a travel hassle - at least that's what I take into consideration. If it happens the day you arrive - you can always find a place for the night.

Again, many thanks for your comments. I have taken it all on board and we have changed our tickets and extended our stay now so that we can stay an extra couple of nights in SF at the end of our trip. My husband is used to driving all over Europe towing a caravan (after a long ferry crossing to Spain sometimes) so he feels he should be ok to drive on the Friday we arrive. It would be good to get the travelling over with in one day, so fingers crossed it all goes well.

Anyone have any ideas where to get a cheap SD card with USA maps on for a tomtom sat nav? They are very expensive in the UK. Just a thought.

Janis, thank you for the snow information, maybe it won't be too bad for us - fingers crossed!

Going east on I-80 on a Friday can make you feel like you are in a parking lot. I see the traffic here in Vacaville when going across the freeway on the overramps. Janisj is correct. I would stay in SF and leave for Tahoe Saturday morning. Btw, coming back on I-80 (going west) on Sunday afternoons and early and sometimes even late evenings is the same situation. Wishing you a wonderful trip!

Not complicated at all. But timing on a Friday is everything. Been a while since you lived up here I think. As LI says, SFO all the way through Roseville/Rocklin (on I-80) or Placerville (on hwy 50) can be a parking lot from early Friday afternoon. And if it is a good ski weekend or it is snowing, the parking lot stretches all the way to the Lake.

And may have mentioned it - but one of our favorite - smaller areas - was Sugar Bowl - and sometimes we would ski it on Sunday afternoons - as it's about a half hour closer to getting back to SF. They used to get the most powder on the North shore.

Tom, early afternoon is not early enough to leave for Tahoe on Friday. Maybe if they could leave by late morning, it would be OK. it's truly awful (I live near SFO - I'd rather leave home at 8 pm on Friday and get to Tahoe late (or sleep in Auburn) than leave anytime after noon. Not that I'm recommending leaving late to someone who has no idea where they're going - I'm not!

So far you have heard it from moi (near sacramento) LoveItaly (right off I-80) and sf7307 (works in SF and lives on the Peninsula) . . . please believe us, we know what of we speak. It is a parking lot (or as the OP would say, a Car Park)

Another do not drive to Tahoe on a Friday afternoon from SF unless you can leave before noon. I have to drive to Berkeley twice a week from SF and on Friday afternoons in ski season it can take me 1 and 30 mins to drive 13 miles!!!

Ok Ok: It would appear traffic has gotten worse - but hey - sometimes it used to take 45 minutes to get from the Bay Bridge to out even by Albany/Golden Gate Field way back when on Friday afternoons.

Hopefully - they are arriving by 3 PM or so - and I just say go for it and see what happens - and if it's too bad - pull off and have something to eat and get back on later, or find a place where to stay.

Actually - where could they check on arrival what is going on traffic wise - much like AM 1070 on the radio in the greater LA area. And if it was too bad - then would agree - spending a nice night in SF would be fine and if you got up early - you could still get a half day on skis at somewhere such as Sugar Bowl - assuming you wanted to check out what might be a recent powder drop.

Oh yes: Assuming you are going to rent equipment - that also has to be factored into the schedule. Generally - it was less expensive for visitors to rent in SF (Swiss Ski Sports in the old days was great) - but if you were up at Tahoe and wanted to change out boots, whatever - that could be a problem v. renting from right at a place in the Tahoe area.

BTW -checked out (Ferrari's) Crown Resort - and yes, it's motel type style - but it's right by the lake with what looks like great views and even a hot tub overlooking the lake. King's Beach is a nice area - with even a Safeway/large grocery/liquor store not too far away - so it appears to me it could fit one's needs, such as enjoying some wine (plastic glasses) and cheese and snacks during apres ski relaxing in the hot tub.

JanisJ is SO RIGHT. We live in the bay area and ski Northstar and I would NEVER NEVER NEVER try to drive to Lake Tahoe on a Friday night. It is as she says a parking lot. I have done it. A 4 hour drive turns into 7 hours or more. Stay somewhere near the airport and get up and leave early on Saturday morning. We leave at 5:30 a.m. and are on the slopes by 9:30 a.m.

We are intermediate/advanced skiiers and Northstar is our ski resort of choice. They were recently bought by the group that owns Vail and Heavenly. They built a new lodge (Zephyr) at the top which is fabulous and has wonderful food. Forget the name but there is an older lodge as well.

Actually, you Europeans better go to Squaw or Heavenly and leave Northstarr to us! lol It can get quite crowded on the weekends. We are midweek skiiers. All the resorts make snow.

We have often stayed in Roseville(on way up) at the Hyatt for $89 advance reservation or $104 last minute. The Hyatt Place in Roseville is cheaper than Sacramento. Marriott Roseville is a little more but I noticed recently that it seems they are trying to compete with Hyatt and their prices were the same although smaller rooms.

We like to ski a lot and hence always looking for a cheap place to stay. I hate Reno but rooms are cheap if nothing is going on. We last stayed at the Sienna Hotel for $89 for two nights. Check their website for specials. It is about 45 minutes to Northstar. There are good restaurants in Reno - we recently at at the steak house in Harrahs which was wonderful, and 4th St. Bistrot was lovely - run by a couple from the Bay Area. There is a Hampton Inn very close to Northstar which runs more and you might also check the Northstar website to see what is available in the way of a condo.

We have also stayed at the Silver Legacy and the Eldorado which both have covered parking. Rooms can run as little as $39 a night but not if there is something going on. My husband prefers staying at these hotels if it is snowing. They are also big casinos with lots of expensive restaurants and bars. Roxys is our favorite bar as it has a great happy hour and a singer and piano. All the hotels have shuttles to the ski areas but better to drive.

If you are coming all the way from Europe - definitely stay at beautiful Lake Tahoe - and be close to the skiing - as well as enjoying the beauty. You might drive into the "biggest little city in the world" - or whatever Reno calls itself now. Also - if you are going to spend the night in the SF area - why not do it in downtown SF - say around Union Square, and enjoy some of the city.

Around the Lake - Incline Village used to be mostly beginner - but I think it may have added something in the intermediate range - and could be good for a warmup - if you are staying by King's Beach. We also used to like Mt. Rose/Slide Mountain - for some good high speed cruising. You could tuck at the top coming off the Mt. Rose chair - to the skier's left - and let em rip all the way to the bottom of the lift, but we only did that when there weren't that many skiers on the hill. http://www.mtrose.com/

Sierra Ski area - on the way to South Shore - is also a fun place and there are they also some runs that you can really let em go. http://www.sierraattahoe.com/

cbs (AM740) if fine - traffic reports every 10 minutes or so. But if the OP has access to the internet, either googlemaps traffic or sigalert.com is better. sigalert gives speed limits on all the major highways at all exits/entrances, so just check "101 North" from Millbrae (which is essentially SFO) to where it connects with 80 East, and then "80 East" the rest of the way (check from San Francisco all the way past Sacramento).

Thanks. Of course - it changes things janis: You may just assume that the traffic is chockablock - which it might usually be - but the one day somebody wants to travel - it could possibly be lighter than normal. And also good advice sf7.

Sounds like Fridays - noon or so on are quite busy- but you never know for sure until you confirm, eh?

And this being "low" season - one could get a hotel room without much advance notice, righto?

Even with this lousy skiing winter, as most of the traffic does not seem to go to or come from the slopes but from the Reno area. Moreover, the slow down is predominantly in the valley because of commuters and local traffic; the entire 80 corridor has been built up.

Nope -- you have heard the exactly same thing from sf7307, Accidental_Tourist, LoveItaly and me. None of us are delusional.

I live less than 1 mile from I-80 and I can't even get 5 miles to Roseville to shop at the Galleria on a Friday afternoon. What should be a 10 minute hop from my front door to Nordy's is a 30-35 minute schlepp.

Wow, so much information. Thank you all very much. My husband is determined to drive up on the Friday. (heaven help us!) I reckon we should get on the road by about 3.30 pm so we will hit the traffic for sure. It could be worse I suppose, we once hit Paris in rush hour traffic on a Friday afternoon towing a caravan!!! Scary....

Our M25 round London is a parking lot most of the time, it's a standing joke in the UK.

I looked at the ski shops you recommended but will try and find some on the North Shore. We will bring our own boots but can't stand the hassle of bringing our skis so will hire over there.

Our hire car is a chevrolet Cruze or similar. Will we get skis inside it?

BTW - good for your husband. He's my kind of guy, and I raise a toast to him.

It will be a bit of a stiff push on Friday - but on Sat am - you will be very happy you are waking up in Ski Country.

And the big North Shore ski areas are Squaw Valley and the adjacent Alpine Meadows, but a short distance away are Northstar (probably the next biggest mountain) and Incline Village - and Mt. Rose is about 20 minutes toward Reno on 267 is it? - right at King's Beach. You will pass Sugar Bowl on the way into North Shore - and it's just off I 80 - what - 20 minutes from Squaw?

There is also a little area you can see from 80 - Boreal? - which is mainly for beginners, but it might be lit up at night - so you will get a preview.

And just figured out - you were talking about fitting the rental skis in the car while you are driving around North Shore, righto? No problem - as if they are too long - just bundle up in your ski gear and let them stick out the window.

Should really not be a big problem, and here is a page with some rental shops in the North Tahoe area. If somebody in say Tahoe City also has a shop at say Squaw - Dave's? - that might be a good idea as if there is any problem slopeside - you could go to the shop they have on the hill.

And smart to bring your own boots. That is the hardest thing to get right.

We also used to like Christy's I think it was - which I think is now at Squaw? I thnk we used to get our beginner friends fixed up there.

Hey - you are bringing back some old memories. Even though we usually stayed at my buddy's place in South Shore - and skied Heavenly - we loved Squaw and also Alpine - and Mt. Rose. Back in the day - we were all over the mountains, and Chute 75 at Squaw is about as challenging as you can find. Get em turning fast at the top or you may be schussing down the mountain on your tummy or backside.

Up on top - over on the right side of the Squaw - they put in some "new" lifts (back in the 70's) and that has some nice cruising areas. If in doubt - just ask around for what is the best snow/groomed areas if you want to cruise.

We used to love to see the skating rink in the side of the parking lot (now gone) where the US first upset the big bad Russian Ice Hockey team - back during the 1960 Olypics - 20 years before the guys did it again in the 1980 Olympics.

Granite Chief if the area I was thinking of - and they have also expanded to the other side (Snow King?) - which you first see as you drive in the valley to Squaw. Never skied that newest area - but it might have some nice cruising runs also. Back in the day - I think Red Dog was the furthest you could go in that direction.

And if you want some challenge - go up KT 22 - so named because an Olympic skier had to take 22 kick turns on her way down waaaay back when. It's off that KT 22 chair that you can get to Chute 75 (if it's still there, but be on the very top of your game if you try that narrow, steep Double Diamond chute. The only other chute I ever skied like that was up at Whistler - and fortunately - it had nice snow that day - not real icy.

Also - if you have a chance - pay your respects to Alpine Meadows. I remember once skiing there with a gal I was dating - who was from NY - and at the next table during lunch was the actor John Saxon - and she was going all ga ga over him. Well, he is/was a good looking dude - I have to admit.

And for the young gals who may not remember John Saxon - here are some pics and he was looking sharp that day - sporting a turtle neck over some powder pants. One piece outfits were not in vogue back then, but love them now.

I know your husband has his mind made up but do try one more time. You will be in the VERY worst of the commute most of the way and won't get to Tahoe until well after dark. You'll miss all the pretty scenery on the way up and be TOTALLY exhausted after flying for hours and dealing w/ US immigration and sorting out the car. And if you stop for dinner you won't get to Tahoe until likely 10PM. NOT the way I'd personally want to start a holiday.

Whereas if you start out any time on Saturday morning you will be rested, have a lovely drive, be able to see all the amazing Sierra scenery including Donner Lake.

Tomsd may pooh pooh all this and cheer on your husband, but he honestly doesn't know beans about this.

I may be beating my head against a wall here but I can't in good conscience leave it w/o one more shot.

And have you ever gone the back way through Walnut Creek/the East Bay - on up via 880 over the Martinez bridge to just before Fairfield. That is the way I would go from the Airport on Friday afternoon.

I think you have to go south a bit from the Airport - and then take the San Mateo Bridge across the south bay - and then up 880 a short way - and cross over on 580 to 680 - and then toward/through Walnut Creek - and on up to I 80 - coming out just before Fairfield. The freeway signs are well marked, and instead of Lake Tahoe - you might look for Sacramento when you get up to Walnut Creek, but just stay on 680 and you will be fine. I think going that way will be about half as bad as going up 101 through SF and over the Bay Bridge to catch 80 and all that heavy traffic by Bezerkeley.

Also for the travelers. If you are staying at/near King's Beach - you are closer to South Shore - maybe a little over a half an hour - and would recommend you ski Heavenly Valley for a day/half day - and maybe go up Kingsberry grade to start on the Nevada side. There is less congestion and great skiing on the Nevada side (try the Olympic Downhill)- and then you could take the trail at the top to get over to do Ridge Run on the upper California side for a super view of Lake Tahoe.

Heavenly is the largest ski area in Tahoe - with really two mountains - the Nevada and the Cal sides.

Johnny Mosley..gold medal winner Moguls in 1998 Olympics...was interviewed this morning by our local paper. The last storm we had a few days ago put a nice base down so the skiing has definitely improved. There is another storm, hopefully, over the weekend.

Yes, it's been a very dry year. Hopefully the weather will stay cold so the snow will stay.

Well, to be safe - figure 45 minutes to an hour if there is a slow car in front of you for a bit of the way, but I usually pass them. It's really only one road - pretty much following the lake - and it pretty well marked when you come to intersections. I would say from Kings Beach - you could be up at the top of Kingsberry grade/Heavenly Nevada side (which you reach as you come into South Shore from around the Nevada side) - and putting on your gear in an hour pretty conservatively.

cref: Allright for the bumps guys. And glad to hear there is more cover and hopefully - more on the way.

I/we usually skied with our longer GS skis and would run the bumps some of the time, but usually liked the high speed crusing. The Face at Heavenly Cal side was a good test - and we used to love North Bowl on the Nevada side.

1) You cannot get from Kings Beach to Southshore if you stay anywhere near the speed limit. From Incline it is 40 minutes on a good day.

2) I've driven the San Mateo Bridge - and the Bay Bridge, and I-80 and 580 and 24 and 880 and 680 and every combination probably 350+ times (Had branch offices in SF, off Hegenberger, in Fremont, in Milpitas and in San Jose, and visited each one 2 to 3 times every month for nearly 10 years)

I'm giving up on this thread - you can have it since you think you know everything (and I REALLY feel sorry for Franypans and her husband - you have led them seriously astray)

janis - ain't nobody been led astray. The future guests from the UK reviewed the info that had been provided and said they wanted to go for it on Friday afternoon - capice?

Simple as that.

And yes, I did wonder about your experience with going to Tahoe via the East Bay route - as again, I was in the bay area again just a couple of months ago (and a few months before that and a few months before that) - and it's less congested over there than on the SF side.

And hey - it's been years - but we did about 30 days a year skiing every year at Tahoe back in the day (not counting trips all around the West and BC to other ski areas) - and we zipped up to Tahoe many times.

But a number such as 350 - that's a heck of a number, eh? I guess you didn't mean you have gone up the Martinez bridge route to Tahoe 350 times, eh?

And BTW - King's Beach is what - less than 10 minutes from nearby Incline? I do make good time when driving - and most importantly - pass slow moving cars - and yes, perhaps - my somewhat distant memory of 30 minutes from Kings Beach to South shore could have been 10 to 15 minutes longer - but I still say first timers can make it from Kings Beach to the Heavenly Nevada side in an hour, or not much longer.

When skiing north shore - we usually stayed with my wife's cousin - and their cabin was close to Kings Beach - and she used to work in a casino at Shore Shore (card games supervisor at Harrah's as I recall). It usually took her about 45 to 50 minutes to get to the Casinos - and the turnoff to Kingsberry grade/Heavenly Nevada side is a couple of stop lights before that.

Of course, that's assuming the roads are clear and it's not snowing hard.

Hi guys
Been away for the weekend, hence no contact. Thank you Janis & Tom particularly for all your info. We can sort out the nitty gritty when we get there, but all the info you have collectively given us will certainly help. I will try and post whilst we are there (mid March), but if not will post when we get back and let you know how we got on with the driving (lol) and skiing.
xxx

Just read an email from Travel & Leisure - an on this webpage - they were offering very inexpensive lodging at the Squaw Peak resort -which is right at the slopes. I have walked around it but never stayed there - but would love to.